"Hello, my name is Beverly, and I'm a sweet tea-aholic."

There is absolutely nothing I love anymore than a glass of perfectly brewed sweet tea.
Well... ok, there's a few things, but you know what I mean! In my struggle to lose weight, "drinking" my calories (aka, sweet tea) is probably my biggest habit to overcome. I LOVE my tea. I mean really really love it. Like IV drip love it...

"Hello, my name is Beverly, and I'm a sweet tea-aholic."

When I was a young newlywed, living about four hours from home, I remember calling my Mama, and having her walk me through the process of making tea. Mine didn't taste just right, so I went to the expert. I've tweaked Mama's method a little over the years, but the results are just as fabulous. There are many methods for making tea, many people I know make a simple syrup, and use that for making their tea, others boil the tea bags longer. Don't have your own tried & true recipe yet? No problem...I'll share my method with you for my favorite drink... ever!

Southern Sweet Tea
(Makes one gallon, or you can half for a 2 qt. pitcher)


* Bring about a 3-4 cups of water to a rolling boil.

* After the water is at a rolling boil, add 4 family size teabags. I use 4 Luzianne Family Size Tea Bags (and the decaf is good, if you prefer).

* Just a little tip, I tie my tea bags together like this, so that they are easier to remove later.

* Make sure the tea bags are throughly saturated, and move them around a little. After 60 seconds or so, remove the pot from the heat.

* Allow to steep for a good 10-12 minutes. If you don't steep your tea correctly, it will not be good! I know it's hard to wait, but STEEP the tea!

* In the meantime, add 2 cups of sugar to a gallon size pitcher. (and try to ignore that high-class manicure!)

* After the tea has finished steeping, pour over the sugar, carefully squeezing the liquid from the bags. (There are few things more frustrating than breaking a tea bag at this stage!)

* Quickly stir the sugar well while the tea is still very warm, until all the sugar is dissolved.

* Fill the pitcher with cold water until the one gallon level, and stir well. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint if you like. (I'm out of mint, or maybe to lazy/tired to go pick some in the herb garden) Delish!

One other tip, make a lower calorie treat, an "Arnold Palmer", by mixing equal parts of sweet tea with a sugar-free lemonade. These are favorites at my house, too.

I'm proud to say all three of my girls know very well how to make an awesome pitcher of tea...hope I still get some calls one day for something!


Keep Shining!
The Woo-Hoo Gal



Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.